Targeting ferroptosis: A novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of mitochondrial disease-related epilepsy

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Kahn-Kirby, Amanda H
Amagata, Akiko
Maeder, Celine I
Mei, Janet J
Sideris, Steve
Kosaka, Yuko
Hinman, Andrew
Malone, Stephanie A
Bruegger, Joel J
Wang, Leslie
Kim, Virna
Shrader, William D
Hoff, Kevin G
Latham, Joey C
Ashley, Euan A
et al.
Griffith University Author(s)
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Biagini, Giuseppe

Date
2019
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Abstract

Background: Mitochondrial disease is a family of genetic disorders characterized by defects in the generation and regulation of energy. Epilepsy is a common symptom of mitochondrial disease, and in the vast majority of cases, refractory to commonly used antiepileptic drugs. Ferroptosis is a recently-described form of iron- and lipid-dependent regulated cell death associated with glutathione depletion and production of lipid peroxides by lipoxygenase enzymes. Activation of the ferroptosis pathway has been implicated in a growing number of disorders, including epilepsy. Given that ferroptosis is regulated by balancing the activities of glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPX4) and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), targeting these enzymes may provide a rational therapeutic strategy to modulate seizure. The clinical-stage therapeutic vatiquinone (EPI-743, α-tocotrienol quinone) was reported to reduce seizure frequency and associated morbidity in children with the mitochondrial disorder pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 6. We sought to elucidate the molecular mechanism of EPI-743 and explore the potential of targeting 15-LO to treat additional mitochondrial disease-associated epilepsies. Methods: Primary fibroblasts and B-lymphocytes derived from patients with mitochondrial disease-associated epilepsy were cultured under standardized conditions. Ferroptosis was induced by treatment with the irreversible GPX4 inhibitor RSL3 or a combination of pharmacological glutathione depletion and excess iron. EPI-743 was co-administered and endpoints, including cell viability and 15-LO-dependent lipid oxidation, were measured. Results: EPI-743 potently prevented ferroptosis in patient cells representing five distinct pediatric disease syndromes with associated epilepsy. Cytoprotection was preceded by a dose-dependent decrease in general lipid oxidation and the specific 15-LO product 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE). Conclusions: These findings support the continued clinical evaluation of EPI-743 as a therapeutic agent for PCH6 and other mitochondrial diseases with associated epilepsy.

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PLoS ONE

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14

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3

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This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.

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Medical genetics (excl. cancer genetics)

Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy)

Biomedical and clinical sciences

Science & Technology

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Science & Technology - Other Topics

HYPOPLASIA TYPE 6

PONTOCEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA

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Kahn-Kirby, AH; Amagata, A; Maeder, CI; Mei, JJ; Sideris, S; Kosaka, Y; Hinman, A; Malone, SA; Bruegger, JJ; Wang, L; Kim, V; Shrader, WD; Hoff, KG; Latham, JC; Ashley, EA; et al., Targeting ferroptosis: A novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of mitochondrial disease-related epilepsy, PLoS ONE, 2019, 14 (3), pp. e0214250

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